# Jaroslav Křivánek

> Czech computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q61849596](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61849596)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jaroslav-krivanek

## Summary
Jaroslav Křivánek was a Czech computer scientist specializing in computer graphics and informatics. He earned his PhD from the Inria Centre at Rennes University and made significant contributions to global illumination computation, particularly in radiance caching for glossy surfaces. His work advanced rendering techniques in the field.

## Biography
- Born: December 11, 1976, in Most, Czech Republic
- Nationality: Czech Republic
- Education:
  - Engineer's degree in computer graphics, Czech Technical University in Prague (1995–2001)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in computer graphics, Inria Centre at Rennes University (2001–2005)
- Known for: Pioneering radiance caching techniques for global illumination in computer graphics
- Employer(s):
  - Seznam.cz (software developer, 1999–2000)
  - University of Central Florida (researcher, 2003–2005)
  - Czech Technical University in Prague (assistant professor, 2006–2008)
  - Sony Pictures Imageworks (consultant, 2007)
  - Cornell University (research fellow, 2008–2010)
  - Disney Research (consultant, 2012)
  - Wētā FX (visiting professor, 2013)
- Field(s): Computer graphics, informatics

## Contributions
Jaroslav Křivánek's most notable work was his doctoral dissertation, "Radiance Caching for Global Illumination Computation on Glossy Surfaces," completed in 2005. This research introduced a novel approach to caching radiance data, significantly improving the efficiency of global illumination rendering in computer graphics. His techniques were adopted by industry professionals and researchers, influencing the development of rendering algorithms for years. Křivánek also contributed to various academic publications and served as a consultant for major studios like Sony Pictures Imageworks and Disney Research, bridging the gap between academic research and industry applications.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Jaroslav Křivánek's primary field of study?
A: Jaroslav Křivánek specialized in computer graphics and informatics, with a focus on global illumination computation and rendering techniques.

### Q: Where did Jaroslav Křivánek earn his PhD?
A: He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in computer graphics from the Inria Centre at Rennes University in France.

### Q: What was Jaroslav Křivánek's most significant contribution to computer science?
A: His most significant contribution was the development of radiance caching techniques for global illumination computation on glossy surfaces, which improved rendering efficiency in computer graphics.

### Q: Which companies did Jaroslav Křivánek work with as a consultant?
A: He worked as a consultant for Sony Pictures Imageworks and Disney Research, contributing to their rendering and visual effects projects.

### Q: What was Jaroslav Křivánek's academic background?
A: He earned an engineer's degree in computer graphics from the Czech Technical University in Prague and a PhD in computer graphics from the Inria Centre at Rennes University.

## Why They Matter
Jaroslav Křivánek's work in radiance caching revolutionized global illumination rendering, making it more efficient and practical for use in both academic research and industry applications. His techniques were adopted by major studios like Sony Pictures Imageworks and Disney Research, demonstrating the real-world impact of his research. By bridging the gap between theoretical computer graphics and practical implementation, Křivánek contributed to the advancement of visual effects and animation technologies. His legacy continues to influence the development of rendering algorithms and computational methods in computer graphics.

## Notable For
- Pioneered radiance caching techniques for global illumination in computer graphics
- Earned a PhD from the Inria Centre at Rennes University, France
- Served as a consultant for Sony Pictures Imageworks and Disney Research
- Published influential research on global illumination computation
- Taught at the Czech Technical University in Prague and the University of Central Florida

## Body
### Early Career
Jaroslav Křivánek began his professional journey as a software developer at Seznam.cz from 1999 to 2000. He later transitioned into academia, working as a researcher at the University of Central Florida from 2003 to 2005. His early academic work laid the foundation for his later contributions to computer graphics.

### Academic Achievements
Křivánek earned his engineer's degree in computer graphics from the Czech Technical University in Prague in 2001. He then pursued his PhD at the Inria Centre at Rennes University, where he focused on global illumination computation. His dissertation, "Radiance Caching for Global Illumination Computation on Glossy Surfaces," was completed in 2005 and became a cornerstone of his academic legacy.

### Industry Contributions
Throughout his career, Křivánek collaborated with major studios and research institutions. He served as a consultant for Sony Pictures Imageworks in 2007 and for Disney Research from 2012 to 2012. His work at these organizations helped advance rendering techniques and visual effects technologies.

### Teaching and Mentorship
Křivánek held teaching positions at the Czech Technical University in Prague and the University of Central Florida. He also served as a visiting professor at Wētā FX in 2013, sharing his expertise with industry professionals.

### Legacy and Impact
Jaroslav Křivánek's research in radiance caching and global illumination computation has had a lasting impact on the field of computer graphics. His techniques are still referenced in academic literature and industry applications, demonstrating the enduring value of his work.

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## References

1. [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jaroslav.krivanek.31)
2. IdRef
3. [Curriculum Vitae](https://cgg.mff.cuni.cz/~jaroslav/cv-krivanek.pdf)
4. [Zemřel docent Jaroslav Křivánek. Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University. 2019](https://www.mff.cuni.cz/cs/verejnost/aktuality/zemrel-docent-jaroslav-krivanek)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Radiance Caching for Global Illumination Computationon Glossy Surfaces. 2005](https://cgg.mff.cuni.cz/~jaroslav/dissertation/2005-dissertation-krivanek.pdf)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. [Czech National Authority Database](http://aut.nkp.cz/ntka173192)
9. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0002-8780-1702/external-identifiers/569830)
10. [In memoriam Jaroslav Krivanek. Eurographics](https://www.eg.org/wp/obituaries/in-memoriam-jaroslav-krivanek/)
11. [IS VaVaI](https://api.isvavai.cz/)